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Rincon man and woman charged in ATV theft

A Rincon man and woman have been arrested for attempting to steal an ATV from a home on Ebenezer Road.

James Owens, 24, and Nicole Wagner, 27, were caught when deputies responding to a call found a truck, along with an ATV, stuck in a ditch in the 2000 block of Ebenezer Road.

Owens and Wagner told deputies they had seen someone trying to steal an ATV and notified the homeowners, Effingham County Sheriff’s Office spokesman David Ehsanipoor said.

Deputies determined that the pair took the ATV and in the process the truck became stuck in the ditch.

“During the arrest, Owens resisted deputies but was then placed in the back of a sheriff’s patrol car,” Ehsanipoor said. “Owens then kicked the back windows out of the car and continued to be combative.”

Ehsanipoor said Owens has an extensive criminal history. Owens was charged with theft by taking, obstruction of a law enforcement officer, unlawful use of a communication device, conspiracy and interference with government property.

Wagner, who also has an extensive criminal history and is a convicted felon, has been charged with theft by taking, conspiracy, and unlawful use of a communication device, Ehsanipoor said.